Monthly Archives: October 2015

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Although posted only a couple of days ago, my presentation from Royal Edinburgh Infirmary, Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh is now passing the benchmark of over 1000 views.

In one of my introductory slides , I acknowledge a number of go-to’s to whom I am indebted. I actively engage with the go-to’s through social media with questions and requests for feedback. They have kept me from what would have been embarrassing gaffes. They allow me to present and write smarter than I am, when I let them. However any excesses or inaccuracies in my work are entirely my own. One of these go-to’s is Bernard “Barney” Carroll. In future blogs I will be saying a lot about his influence on me, although we have never actually met. In

I have reluctantly decided that I am no longer going to write any posts about NHS Scotland on Hole Ousia. I will however still continue to discuss health and wellbeing in the context of the “two cultures”.

My reason is that I no longer feel safe to speak out individually as an employee of NHS Scotland.

I will continue to advocate for transparency and accountability.

I feel very lucky to be a doctor. The NHS is so important to me. I have so many wonderful colleagues and I never cease to learn from the Scottish folk that I try to help when in a time of need.

I will always try my best to put patients first. That is the way I am. I do not agree with those who suggest that such a determination might be considered as a sign of illness.

Kenneth Calman was the Chief Medical Officer before Harry Burns. No other Scottish doctor has inspired Hole Ousia writings more than Kenneth Calman.

In my need to put patients first I have included the Director General for NHS Scotland in e-mails that I have considered important to patient safety and well-being. I admit to being persistent in this matter.

Communications sent but unanswered: No response came from the office of the Director General for NHS Scotland…

One of those who has most significant financial interests is Professor Stephen Stahl. In “partnership with” the British Association for Psychopharmacology he recently gave this “Expert Seminar” at the University of Bristol: